AC Milan’s search for a new centre forward has landed them on the Portuguese shores, with the Rossoneri working out a deal to sign Porto striker Mehdi Taremi.
Italian news outlet Calciomercato reports that the Serie A giants have already seen an opening bid for the Iranian striker rebuffed by Porto.
The seven-time European champions remain in pole position to sign Taremi this summer, but they need to find common ground with Porto over a transfer fee.
The Primeira Liga giants are open to a sale with just one year left on the striker’s contract at the Estadio do Dragao, but they are holding out for a fee of around €20-25 million.
Milan’s opening proposal was worth €13m, which falls well below Porto’s valuation. But both sides remain locked in negotiations, and there is a general feeling that an agreement can be reached.
Taremi, who turns 31 tomorrow, was instrumental to Porto’s domestic success last term, scoring 31 goals and providing a further 14 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.
Despite relinquishing their Primeira Liga crown to Benfica, Porto still claimed a domestic treble, winning the Portuguese Cup, League Cup and Super Cup trophies last season.
Taremi played a prominent role in their success, but the Iranian striker could embark on a new challenge abroad this summer, with Milan keen on capturing his signature.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic now out of the picture after retiring, Milan are reluctant to bank on the ageing Olivier Giroud to lead the line next season.
Taremi will provide competition for the Frenchman, but his arrival could scupper Milan’s potential deal to sign Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze.
The Rossoneri can only sign one more player who is not from a country that is in the European Union, meaning they have to choose between Taremi and Chukwueze.
Milan have already welcomed four new faces to the San Siro this summer, and Taremi could be their fifth acquisition of the transfer window.
